[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GUSTAVO MONTANO ARRIOLA

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a 
highly acclaimed cartoonist and cultural advocate who recently 
announced his retirement. Gustavo Montano Arriola, known to most as 
Gus, is the creator of the famous cartoon ``Gordo.'' For more than 44 
years he maintained a large and faithful following while introducing an 
American audience to Mexican customs and traditions.
  Mr. Arriola began animating directly after high school at Screen 
Gems, then with Columbia on ``Krazy Kat.'' He pursued his art working 
in the MGM Cartoon Department on the story sketch of the cat and mouse 
series ``Tom and Jerry,'' then created the incomparable `'Gordo'' 
strip.
  Mr. Arriola has earned many awards and honors which exemplify his 
great contributions to society. In 1957, ``in recognition of his 
pioneering and bringing design and color to a `new high' in the field 
of newspaper comic strips,'' he was awarded a distinguished artist 
citation by the San Francisco Artists Club. Mr. Arriola was also 
honored with the Citizen of the Year award from Parade of Nations, 
Inc., which stated, `` `Gordo' exemplified the positive attitudes and 
educational efforts that best produce intercultural understanding.'' 
The California State Assembly and Senate awarded Mr. Arriola with a 
great honor from the people of California by declaring a `'Gus Arriola 
Day,'' thus, immortalizing this great man.
  Mr. Arriola was also awarded two National Cartoonist Society awards, 
both in 1957 and 1965 for best humor strip. In addition, he was honored 
by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, for his tribute to 
author Rachel Carson.
  Mr. Arriola has also contributed his artwork to support numerous 
community causes. He has lent his creative talent to the Alliance on 
Aging, Beacon House, Carmel Art Association, Carmel Foundation, Carmel 
Public Library Foundation, Community Hospital of the Monterey 
Peninsula, Crosby Golf Youth Center, Friends of Sunset Foundation, 
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hospice of the Central Coast, Monterey 
History and Art Association, Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey Peninsula 
Museum of Art, Ombudsmen, Pacific Grove Art Association, Pacific Grove 
Museum of National History, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Society 
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He is a humanitarian willing 
to help people by contributing his influential work to their issue.
  In response to a question about his retirement, Mr. Arriola quotes 
from the late writer and naturalist John Burroughs stating: ``I still 
find the days too short for all the thought I want to think, all the 
books I want to read, all the walks I want to take and all the friends 
I want to see.'' I continue to wish the best for Gus Arriola, who I 
know is finding new and creative ways to make his mark on the world.

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